PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices Practice Question
What is the difference between a Request for Change (RFC) and an Off-specification (Off-spec)?
⚠ Common exam trap
PRINCE2 candidates often mistakenly think an RFC is only for the Business Case or that only the Project Board can raise issues, when in fact any stakeholder can raise any type of issue. The key differentiator is whether the product is already agreed (RFC) or failing to meet its specification (Off-spec).
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An RFC is about changing a product that is already agreed; an Off-spec is about a product that is missing or not meeting specifications
A Request for Change (RFC) is a proposal to modify a product that has already been approved and baselined, while an Off-specification (Off-spec) is a formal notification that a product is missing, incomplete, or does not meet its agreed specifications. In PRINCE2, the RFC seeks to change what was agreed, whereas the Off-spec identifies a deviation from what was agreed. This distinction is fundamental to the Change Control Approach and the issue management process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
An RFC only applies to the Business Case; an Off-spec applies to any product
Why it's wrong here
Both can apply to any product.
- ✗
An RFC is always accepted; an Off-spec is always rejected
Why it's wrong here
Both may be accepted or rejected depending on impact.
- ✓
An RFC is about changing a product that is already agreed; an Off-spec is about a product that is missing or not meeting specifications
Why this is correct
This is the correct distinction.
- ✗
An RFC is raised by the Project Board; an Off-spec is raised by the Project Manager
Why it's wrong here
Either can be raised by anyone.
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